HEAP Income Guidelines in New York State

General Eligibility

Heating assistance in New York is primarily for low-to-moderate income households. Eligibility is based on your income, household size, the cost of your heating needs, and whether or not someone in the home is under age 6, over age 60, or disabled. The income guidelines change each year; as of 2010, a household with four people with a gross monthly income of $4,094 qualifies for HEAP. Because the funding for HEAP varies, the income guidelines in subsequent years may be higher or lower. In most cases, you can only receive one benefit payment per year, and it is paid directly to the heating vendor, such as the oil, gas or electric company.

HEAP is one of several programs for low-income New York residents, and if you qualify for other state assistance programs, you qualify for HEAP. If your receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Benefits, or food stamps, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) cash assistance or Supplemental Social Security Income and live alone, you automatically qualify for heating assistance. If you live in government subsidized housing that includes heat in the rent, you qualify for HEAP, but your benefit amount is limited to $1. If you live in subsidized housing but pay your own heating costs, you qualify for standard benefits in accordance with the type of heat source.

If your gas or electric service has been turned off, or is scheduled to be turned off, or you're in danger of running out of fuel and cannot afford to purchase more, you may qualify for emergency heating assistance. To qualify for a one-time emergency benefit, which may be in addition to your regular HEAP benefit, you need to meet the HEAP income guidelines or qualify for another assistance program. Unlike regular HEAP, emergency heat assistance has asset limits. If you are under 60 years old, you must have less than $2,000 in available cash resources; if you're over 60, you can have up to $3,000 in cash on hand. If you own your home or the heating equipment and cannot afford emergency repairs, you can also apply under these guidelines for assistance in repairing or replacing the equipment.

Low-income homeowners can also apply for money to cover the repair or placement of heating equipment, such as furnaces or boilers. Eligible homeowners can qualify for up to $6,000 to repair or replace the equipment. The income requirements are the same as for standard and emergency HEAP benefits, and resource limits also apply. If you qualify for this benefit, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance will pay the vendor directly after the work is completed. Only applications that are approved before the work begins qualify for the payment.